"I'm back!" says Jacques
- Published on Feb 28th, 2010 by Tess TarossaDoes absence make the heart grow fonder? We haven't seen Jacques Villeneuve behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car since 2006, but today it has been announced that he is having a 'seat fitting' for... Stefan GP! Stumbling block No 1: Stefan GP don't have a place on the grid for 2010. Stumbling block No 2: this is, er, Jacques Villeneuve we're talking about, not Michael Schumacher.
Jacques has been prowling around the paddock for some time now in the hope of getting re-hired. Here he is back in July trying to impress Mercedes man Norbert Haug, but unfortunately for Jacques they hired his arch nemesis of yesteryear, Michael Schumacher. Ouch. Read all you need to know about Jacques by clicking here.
Would you like to see Jacques back in Formula 1? It'll certainly make for a colourful grid: there will be more former World Champions than you could shake a stick at! Though Jacques had better ditch the geek grandad glasses before he 'returns'. Not a good look in our books.
Why not? I think the current cars will suit his driving style much better than the 06 ones. I'd like to see him give it a go!
Yeah why not, it would be a Rookies Vs Champions season then. Sort the men from the boys
He was crap then and he'd be worse now, no way!
Red-Cyan, he beat Michael Schumacher for a title!! How the hell is he crap? He beat THE man. It's too bad his management let him down and wasn't given the car to go with his talent.
Indy 500, Champ Car & F1 WDC - crap I don't think so.
Making the move to a Reynard designed car with the same engine as the Williams he won the world title with was not a bad decision. Staying there for so long afterwards was.
Experience will be priceless if SGP get a chance
He suffered more than most with the switch to the grooved tyres, his talent disappeared the moment that happened. But during the '96 and '97 season he showed more than enough ability. The question is; is that ability still there awaiting reawakening?
I'm reserving judgement.
His father was a legend and it will be great to see the name back. I was always a fan of Jacques cos he was quick and always spoke his mind, for better or (often) worse. We need characters in the sport and Jacques has been one of the most interesting in recent F1 history. Add that to the fact that he'd be upping the tally of F1 champions on the grid and this season looks better and better!
I really hope Stefan GP can be on the grid to see this happen. USF1 have turned into an embarrassment unfortunately and if they are allowed to miss races I feel it will be very bad for the sport and the fans. Just my 2p
It's a pretty spot on 2p - but as Jimmy says, it's looking less likely that the Stefan GP team with JV are going to be in F1 2010 - no statements with less than 2 weeks to go....
Jacques got a son now, maybe 2, so it wont be long before we get Villeneuve part 3 in F1.
USF1 want to defer their entry until 2011, so Stefan's entry, and JV's return, depends on whether the FIA allow that. If they do Stefan are finished, if they don't we may see them. It's looking unlikely though.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8544246.stm
EJ's got a habit of being right about these things.
He is, and it looks like Jacques will sign for them.
But the article tells us that EJ says the second driver will be 'a pay driver'. We already know who the second driver will be- Kazuki Nakajima. I believe that Badger said Nakajima was going to drive for Stefan a few weeks ago. Not sure why the BBC haven't mentioned this.
It might be that Nakajima was the original plan before Jacques expressed an interest. It also might be that Toyota may have tried to do what they did to Williams here and said Kazuki is part of the engine deal.
To which SGP replied: "Fine, but we need more money so you'll have to give us some" then Toyota said "On second thoughts, put who you want in the second seat, we'd rather you found your own source of income".
Possible.
Would love to see Jacques back in action hope it goes well for him.
According to the SGP blog jacques is now confirmed as a driver, their car will be launched tomorrow and they are also expecting a statement from the FIA! So much going on, i really hope they make it, just for the bizarre story as much as anything, even if they are 5 seconds off the pace!
Couldn't agree more Alex! go Stefan GP!
Something's gone wrong with their news section. It's like someone fluent in English has written it and made it entirely characterless.
Sadly it's over for SGP and Jacques in 2010:
Quote from FIA revised entry list:
"The US team have indicated that they will not be in a position to participate in the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship. Having considered the various options, the FIA confirms that it is not possible for a replacement team to be entered for the championship at this late stage."
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2010/3/10484.html
Perhaps they'll go back to the original plan of testing younger drivers on behalf of the established teams throughout 2010... providing they can get hold of some tyres.